Refuge petition asks governor to back Keating bill

CHATHAM -- Gov. Charlie Baker received a formal request from Chatham officials Wednesday and it came with the support of more than 1,000 voices.

Town Manager Jill Goldsmith, on behalf of the board of selectmen, sent a petition with 1,000-plus signatures and a letter asking that Baker advocate for the legislative initiative that would restore the historic western boundary of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge.

A bill before Congress, filed by Rep. William Keating (D-9th District), would clarify that the western boundary of the refuge is the mean low water line as described in the 1944 documents creating the refuge, she said. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge’s comprehensive conservation plan shows a different boundary, which switches control of 3,000 acres of submerged lands from the Commonwealth to the federal government.

Because Republicans hold a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Gov. Baker’s engagement is seen as critical to the success of Keating's legislation.

“We know the governor is opposed to federal government overreach and supports fishing communities like Chatham, so we expect he will actively support the legislation”, said Selectman Shareen Davis.

Goldsmith said they were able to collect the signatures in about two weeks, which shows how much the issue of protecting the town's traditions resonated with people.

“This incredible demonstration of support indicates the importance of this issue, not only to our community but to the broader Massachusetts fishing community,” Goldsmith said. The mayors of the fishing ports of New Bedford and Gloucester expressed support for this effort, highlighting the regional importance of the battle.

Baker has voiced support for Chatham’s cause before, in a letter he sent to the federal delegation in 2016.

While the town is asking for Baker’s support in influencing Congressmen, Massachusetts Audubon sent out an e-mail blast to 2,700 members asking them to pressure Keating to abandon the legislation.

Jack Clarke, director of public policy and government relations at Audubon, said the environment would be better served if the western boundary dispute was sorted out at Chatham Town Hall and “not before an environmentally hostile congress or contentious federal court.”